The public may comment
on the Plan through July 1, 2005. Download
the Plan (pdf 462kb)

From the Bureau of Land Management

The
Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management today released
its strategic plan setting out how the agency will manage its National
Scenic and Historic Trails Program over the next 10 years.

The National Scenic and Historic Trails Strategy and Work Plan will
enhance visitor services along the trails, provide consistent standards
for protecting and developing trail resources, and boost the BLM's partnerships
with trail organizations and other agencies in managing the trails under
the Bureau's jurisdiction.

This is the Bureau's first Strategy and Work Plan for these congressionally
designated trails. The Plan establishes goals and objectives and describes
how the BLM expects to implement these actions by 2015. Developing guidelines
for signage, for example, will give BLM managers responsible for these
trails a consistent standard to follow.

The BLM manages more miles of National Historic Trails than any other
Federal agency, administering land along 10 National Historic Trails
in 10 Western States. On three of these trails-- Alaska's Iditarod National
Historic Trail as well as the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro and Old
Spanish National Historic Trails in the Southwest-- the Bureau coordinates
management of the entire trail, including portions of the trail located
on non-BLM land. The BLM also manages two National Scenic Trails as
well as seven trail-related visitor centers, often in partnership with
State agencies and local interest groups.

The Plan is available for public comment through July 1, 2005. Individuals
interested in reviewing the Plan can request an electronic or printed
copy by calling (202) 208-3516. All comments on the draft must be emailed
or postmarked by July 1, 2005.

National Scenic and Historic Trails became part of the BLM's National
Landscape Conservation System in 2000. In addition, the BLM's Recreation,
Cultural Resources, and Engineering Programs continue to support the
development, maintenance, and protection of these trails as well as
coordinate with trail organizations and volunteers.

The BLM, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages
more land-- 261 million surface acres-- than any other Federal agency.
Most of this public land is located in 12 Western States, including
Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1.9 billion, also administers
700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation.
The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity
of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future
generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities
as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy
production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other
resources on the public lands.